The Incident on East College Street
A large fight broke out on the pedestrian mall in downtown Iowa City around 1:46 a.m. Sunday, leading to gunfire that injured five people. Iowa City Police Department officers heard shots as they arrived at the 100 block of East College Street, near the University of Iowa campus. The shooting disrupted a busy nightlife area, with bystander videos showing crowds running for cover.
Injuries Among the Victims
University of Iowa President Barb Wilson confirmed that at least three students were among the five injured in the incident. Police reported one victim in critical condition, while the other four were stable after receiving treatment at local hospitals. The victims included individuals from the university community, as stated in alerts from the school.
Police Actions and Search for Suspects
The Iowa City Police Department released surveillance photos of five persons of interest linked to the shooting, asking the public for help in identifying them. No arrests occurred by Sunday, and investigators continued their work without immediate updates on the suspects. Officers closed the pedestrian mall for several hours, reopening it Sunday afternoon to restore normalcy.
Responses from University and State Officials
President Barb Wilson expressed concern in a statement, saying, "I am thinking about these students and their families, friends, and all the people who care about them." Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds posted on X that the state's full resources were available for the investigation, after speaking with Wilson and Board of Regents Chair Robert Cramer. The Department of Public Safety offered support to the Iowa City Police Department to aid the ongoing probe.
Impact on the Community
The shooting left students and residents shaken, with university alerts urging people to avoid the area near East College Street and St. Clinton Street. Bystander videos verified by ABC News showed multiple people fighting on the pedestrian mall and a large crowd running for cover as gunshots were heard. Multiple victims were transported to local hospitals for treatment.